Suspect in July pharmacy robbery arrested

A surveillance photo shows the robber at the counter of Jensen's Pharmacy July 31.

Rockland — A suspect was arrested in connection with a Rockland pharmacy robbery that occurred nearly six months ago.

Michael R. Willis, 28, of South Thomaston was arrested at his home on the afternoon of Jan. 8, police said.

The robbery at Jensen's Pharmacy on Camden Street occurred the afternoon of July 31, when the suspect passed a note to a pharmacist demanding drugs, according to Rockland Police Department Deputy Chief Wally Tower. Some drugs were given to the suspect, who then left the pharmacy and ran toward the rear of the building,Tower said.

According to documents filed in Knox County courts, the note requested "oxys", or oxycodone pills in 15 and 30 milligram tablets. At the bottom of the note, the word "guns" was written.

The cost to replace the drugs was $139, according to court documents.

Willis was implicated as a suspect from information garnered from cell phone records and DNA testing, according to Rockland Police Department Detective Russ Thompson.

Cell phone records, obtained through a search warrant, showed two calls were made near the pharmacy on Willis' phone shortly before the robbery.

A pin-stripe suit jacket and fedora the suspect wore during the robbery was found about two days after the crime near J&J Lobster off Front Street.

J&J Lobster is in close proximity to Jensen's Pharmacy and is accessible by foot and motor vehicle.

The jacket and hat, along with DNA samples from Willis, were sent to the Maine State Police Crime Lab for comparison. The samples were a match, according to court documents.

Curtis Jensen, owner of the pharmacy, picked Willis out of a photo line up with "90 percent certainty" he was the perpetrator, said the affidavit.

Also according to court documents, Willis wore make-up to disguise his natural appearance.

A relative told police Willis has been addicted to opiates following a surgery, according to court documents.

The joint investigation was performed by the Rockland Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency's Midcoast task force.